How do I find specific research materials?

Search the Catalog

First, search the LSU Libraries' Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). The OPAC includes records for books, journals, manuscripts, microfilm, maps, and other materials found in Special Collections. Records for nearly all the books and other published materials in Special Collections can be found there, including an extensive collection of Louisiana newspapers on microfilm. The OPAC also includes records for about one quarter of our manuscript collections.

Books and Published Materials

The library’s book collections are searchable in the online catalog. You may wish to limit your search to a specific collection depending on the topic you are researching. You may also limit your search by language, publication year, and material type. For detailed guides to published materials in selected subject areas, see Tips for Finding Books.

How do I use the research materials?

Like all special collections libraries, we have very specific rules about how people can use our materials. We encourage researchers to use our materials, but we need to preserve them for future scholars to use as well. For this reason, we do not allow library patrons to take materials out of the building. Fortunately, we have a beautiful reading room in Hill Memorial Library where anyone can register to use our materials. We require that you present a photo identification card (your driver's license or student i.d.) when you register, so please be sure to bring one to the reading room.

Learn more about using Special Collections materials:

What else is there to see here?

Hill Memorial Library has two exhibition galleries that are open to the public free of charge, Monday through Friday 8 to 5 and most Saturdays 9 to 1. Check Current exhibits to see what's on. We also feature online exhibits on topics ranging from “Sugar at LSU” to “British Voices from South Asia.” In addition, you can see images of Special Collections materials in the Louisiana Digital Library.

We hope you find our collections useful to your research. Thank you for visiting and come again soon!